Clear.

Design Director

Dubai, UAEPosted 1 weeks ago

Salary
AED 50k–80k a month· Michael Page
Job type
Full time
Level
Lead
Field
Construction & Engineering
Work mode
On site

About the role

Will lead the engineering design function for the data center developments, overseeing the design of MEP and CSA Infrastructure, as well as related systems across new-build, retrofit and expansions projects. The role owns design standards, leads a team of design engineers or technical specialists, and works closely with project delivery teams to deliver reliable, efficient and scalable data center facilities. Key Responsibilities: Design Leadership • Lead the end-to-end design process for data center projects, from concept through detailed design, construction support, and commissioning handover. • Own and continuously improve design standards, specifications, and basis-of-design documents. • Review and approve designs, calculations, and drawings prepared by internal teams or external consultants / contractors. • Drive design optimization from energy efficiency, reliability, modularity, speed to build with considerations of customer requirements as well as cost to build across all projects. • Continuously explore the latest technologies on the market and support internal design & innovation projects. • Lead internal standardization initiative covering not only design related documents but also project management, construction management, commissioning management & etc., which are supported by relevant discipline leads. Team Management • Build, mentor, and manage a team of design engineers and coordinate with external design consultants. • Set performance goals, conduct reviews, and support career development of direct reports. • Allocate resources across multiple concurrent projects and manage workload and priorities. Technical Oversight • Evaluate and select power and cooling technologies appropriate to project requirements and industry trends (including AI/high-density rack cooling). • Evaluate and select appropriate construction method from CSA side to project requirements as well as customers’ standards. • Review vendor equipment selections, capacity calculations, etc. • Lead value engineering exercises to balance cost, reliability, and schedule. Cross-Functional Collaboration • Coordinate closely with project delivery teams to ensure integrated design delivery. • Liaise with clients, consultants, contractors, and regulatory bodies on design related matters. • Work with operations/facilities teams to ensure designs support maintainability and operational requirements. Project & Stakeholder Management • Manage design timelines, budgets, and deliverables across multiple sites/projects. • Present design solutions and technical recommendations to senior leadership and clients. • Ensure compliance with local codes, standards (e.g., ASHRAE, Uptime Institute, TIA-942, LEED & etc.), and sustainability / energy regulations. Looking for: • Minimum of 10 years’ experience in large scale Middle Eastern experience for Data Center design and technical engineering. • Excellent understanding of the complexity of data centers and demonstrable experience of design and delivery of large-scale data center facilities across multiple countries. • Recognized industry leader; strong executive presence; solid track record of strategic accomplishments in companies experiencing rapid growth and expansion where constant challenges are the norm. • Multinational leadership experience, willingness to reconsider constantly innovative ways to reduce cost through creative design. Should not be constrained by traditional processes. • Fully understands the priorities around safety, time, cost, and quality with a strong emphasis on delivery to budget. • Commercially astute with a strong business acumen, appreciating the responsibilities of Design in the context to the whole business strategy. For more information please contact: [email protected]

Requirements

Minimum of 10 years’ experience in large scale Middle Eastern experience for Data Center design and technical engineering.

Responsibilities

Lead the end-to-end design process for data center projects, from concept through detailed design, construction support, and commissioning handover. Own and continuously improve design standards, specifications, and basis-of-design documents. Review and approve designs, calculations, and drawings prepared by internal teams or external consultants / contractors. Drive design optimization from energy efficiency, reliability, modularity, speed to build with considerations of customer requirements as well as cost to build across all projects. Continuously explore the latest technologies on the market and support internal design & innovation projects. Lead internal standardization initiative covering not only design related documents but also project management, construction management, commissioning management & etc., which are supported by relevant discipline leads. Build, mentor, and manage a team of design engineers and coordinate with external design consultants. Set performance goals, conduct reviews, and support career development of direct reports. Allocate resources across multiple concurrent projects and manage workload and priorities. Evaluate and select power and cooling technologies appropriate to project requirements and industry trends (including AI/high-density rack cooling). Evaluate and select appropriate construction method from CSA side to project requirements as well as customers’ standards. Review vendor equipment selections, capacity calculations, etc. Lead value engineering exercises to balance cost, reliability, and schedule. Coordinate closely with project delivery teams to ensure integrated design delivery. Liaise with clients, consultants, contractors, and regulatory bodies on design related matters. Work with operations/facilities teams to ensure designs support maintainability and operational requirements. Manage design timelines, budgets, and deliverables across multiple sites/projects. Present design solutions and technical recommendations to senior leadership and clients. Ensure compliance with local codes, standards (e.g., ASHRAE, Uptime Institute, TIA-942, LEED & etc.), and sustainability / energy regulations.

Skills

  • Data center design
  • MEP design
  • CSA infrastructure
  • Power and cooling technologies
  • Energy efficiency
  • Value engineering
  • Design standards and basis-of-design
  • Project management
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Vendor evaluation
  • Cross-functional collaboration
  • Executive presentation

Not sure you fit this role?

Upload your CV and see how you score against Clear. and every other live job. It's free.

Get my free matches

AED 50k–80k a month· Michael Page

What does a Design Director earn in the UAE?

See the full Michael Page salary benchmark — ranges, skills, and career progression.

Salary guide →

Similar jobs across the Gulf